Irans Nuclear Program: Tehrans Compliance with International Obligations
Abstract
Several U.N. Security Council resolutions required Iran to cooperate fully with the International Atomic Energy Agencys (IAEAs) investigation of its nuclear activities, suspend its uranium enrichment program, suspend its construction of a heavy-water reactor and related projects, and ratify the Additional Protocol to its IAEA safeguards agreement. However, Tehran has implemented various restrictions on, and provided the IAEA with additional information about, its uranium enrichment program and heavy-water reactor program pursuant to the July 2015 Joint Cooperative Plan of Action (JCPOA), which Tehran concluded with China, France, Germany, Russia, the United Kingdom, and the United States. On the JCPOAs Implementation Day, which took place on January 16, 2016, all of the previous resolutions requirements were terminated. The nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty (NPT) and U.N. Security Council Resolution 2231, which the Council adopted on July 20, 2015, comprise the current legal framework governing Irans nuclear program. Iran has complied with the JCPOA and resolution. Iran and the IAEA agreed in August 2007 on a work plan to clarify the outstanding questions regarding Tehrans nuclear program. The IAEA had essentially resolved most of these issues, but for several years the agency still had questions concerning possible military dimensions to Irans nuclear programme. A December 2, 2015, report to the IAEA Board of Governors from agency Director-General Yukiya Amano contains the IAEAs final assessment on the resolution of the outstanding issues. This report provides a brief overview of Irans nuclear program and describes the legal basis for the actions taken by the IAEA board and the Security Council. It will be updated as events warrant.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Apr 07, 2016
- Accession Number
- AD1011698
Entities
People
- Paul K. Kerr
Organizations
- Congressional Research Service